Arunima Sinha with Bachendri Pal (below) at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Saturday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

For Arunima Sinha (23), who conquered the trauma of losing a limb, the peak of the Everest is perhaps less challenging.

Lucknow girl Arunima, in Jamshedpur on Sunday to meet her “idol and inspiration” Bachendri Pal, has one artificial foot gifted to her by an NRI, but she wants to take tall strides.

On April 11, 2011, when the young law student and state-level footballer was on her way to Delhi from Lucknow by train, five youths had lunged at her at 2.30am in a bid to snatch her gold chain. When she resisted, one kicked her stomach, throwing her off-kilter. She crash-landed on the tracks, while another train, hurtling from the opposite end, sliced her left leg.

She sustained multiple fractures, too, as well as a hairline injury on her spinal cord. She spent four gruelling hours in blinding pain on the tracks before being rescued.

Those healed with time at the trauma unit of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The trauma of losing a leg stayed longer.

Then, her legal mind took over. “The only thing that I felt would help me get over this challenge was to set a bigger goal. I wanted to get up on my feet and on the highest peak in the world,” she smiled.

Over telephone, she got in touch with Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) boss Bachendri Pal, a legendary climber whom Arunima knew was the first Indian woman to annex Everest.

“Madam asked me to meet her here,” she said. “And so I am.”

The two bravehearts thrashed out the modalities of her attempting the Everest — formalities, fitness, training at TSAF camps, among others — at their meeting.

Speaking to The Telegraph at the sports hostel of JRD Tata Sports Complex this afternoon, Arunima said the talks were fruitful.

“I will accompany madam to Uttar Kashi to participate in TSAF’s outdoor leadership programme soon,” she said.

Bachendri said climbing the Everest was difficult but not impossible for the differently-abled. “A lot depends on Arunima’s training and will power. If an American national who’s a double amputee can scale the Everest, why can’t she?” she asked.

Seconding her idol, Arunima said: “My climb to the Everest will inspire the disabled in the country. In fact, I am taking up this difficult journey with this particular aspect in mind. Nothing is impossible.”

Somewhat shyly, she added she had been a soccer player for the Uttar Pradesh women’s team.

“I was a goalkeeper,” she said, steadfastly keeping self-pity out of her voice.

But now, she has a new goal. “Climbing Everest is challenging but I have the wholehearted support of my family and friends,” Arunima smiled.